VOTER EDUCATION AND ICT Najia Hashemee Regional Electoral Policy Specialist Funded by the government of Spain Contribution from Canada

Elections are the ultimate means through which citizens voice their political preferences and choose their representatives. Elections are regularly conducted in almost all countries. Yet, many countries continue to face challenges related to the integrity and credibility of their elections. Electoral processes are also important benchmarks in peacebuilding processes, particularly in severe post-conflict contexts. Elections can also, however, fuel existing conflicts and divisions in society. Adviosry services too Stronger UN/EU relations on electoral assistance - joint projects & trainings Develop knowledge products and electoral indicators framework UN policy development on electoral assistance Hence, inclusive and credible electoral cycle support is an integral tool for democratic governance and peaceful development.

UNDP’s Electoral Assistance Provides support to approximately 65 countries per year Focus of UNDP electoral assistance Strengthen the capacities of independent and permanent EMBs Support civic outreach and voter education Prevent electoral violence and support peaceful transitions Promote electoral reform Promote women´s participation as voters, candidates and electoral administrators Encourage political participation of vulnerable and marginalized groups (youth, women, persons with disabilities, indigenous people) Facilitate South-South Cooperation and peer to peer learning Adviosry services too Stronger UN/EU relations on electoral assistance - joint projects & trainings Develop knowledge products and electoral indicators framework UN policy development on electoral assistance

UNDP’s Electoral Assistance In the Strategic Plan 2014-2017, UNDP adopts an integrated approach to supporting inclusive political processes (IPP) that aims to strengthen political processes and institutions for improving citizen participation, voice and accountability and (re-) build a strong(er) and more inclusive social contract. UNDP provides electoral support through its country offices in about 60 countries per year. GPECS is complementary to CO programming – ensuring regional and global linkages, synergies with other areas of democratic governance as well as ensuring a political beyond just technical approach to electoral assistance. Main area of work is strengthening the institutional, technical and operational capacity of EMBs and other stakeholders and promoting inclusive elections. UNDP provides electoral assistance in diverse socio-political contexts, ranging from post-conflict countries to established democracies

NATIONAL Strengthen the capacities of independent and permanent EMBs Support civic outreach and voter education Prevent electoral violence and support peaceful transitions Promote electoral reform Promote women´s participation as voters, candidates and electoral administrators Encourage political participation of vulnerable and marginalized groups (youth, women, persons with disabilities, indigenous people) Facilitate South-South Cooperation and peer to peer learning Providing electoral cycle support from legislative reform to operational assistance to voter and civic education programming Working directly with EMBs, civil society organizations, relevant ministries and other electoral stakeholders

NATIONAL: VOTER EDUCATION AND ICT Tunisia Twitter: supported the election commission to develop an online game called DemocraTweet Youtube: election song went viral inspiring youth throughout the country https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nSyO5Jd1Oo Jordan Facebook: the election commission used Facebook to disseminate voter education messages https://www.facebook.com/EntikhabatJO/videos/565087833616318/ Libya SMS: key messages on the electoral process sent to all subscribers voter education tool as text messages were sent to all subscribers to explain to citizens why they should register and how to do it very easily via SMS. E-learning for EMBs, civil society organizations, other electoral stakeholders including the general public

REGIONAL enhancing regional electoral knowledge Provide policy advice and programming support to country level projects Facilitate exchange of good practices, per networking and knowledge creation and dissemination ARAB STATES enhancing regional electoral knowledge Establishing the Organization of ArabEMBs Strengthening electoral capacities of regional organizations (i.e. League of Arab States) Promoting the participation of women and youth Adviosry services too Stronger UN/EU relations on electoral assistance - joint projects & trainings Develop knowledge products and electoral indicators framework UN policy development on electoral assistance

REGIONAL: VOTER EDUCATION AND ICT Game App Arabic, French, English Lexicon of electoral terminology Facebook Pilot course on electoral systems with St. Joseph University Beirut Whatsapp Regional online group of voter registration expertstizens why they should register and how to do it very easily via SMS. E-learning for EMBs, civil society organizations, other electoral stakeholders including the general public

GLOBAL Produce innovative knowledge products that advance the electoral cycle approach in identified gap areas Strengthen policy and programming support Adviosry services too Stronger UN/EU relations on electoral assistance - joint projects & trainings Develop knowledge products and electoral indicators framework UN policy development on electoral assistance

GLOBAL: VOTER EDUCATION AND ICT E-Learning courses on topics such as: Electoral Results Management Sustainability in Electoral Administration Credibility and Acceptance of Electoral Processes http://elearning.ec-undp-electoralassistance.org/ why they should register and how to do it very easily via SMS. E-learning for EMBs, civil society organizations, other electoral stakeholders including the general public

why they should register and how to do it very easily via SMS. VOTER EDUCATION AND ICT: ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION why they should register and how to do it very easily via SMS. Know your voters: different voters have different learning styles. Understand how to best reach your voting public Real time information: use of mediums like social media require capacity to have and disseminate information instantaneously Sustainability: use of ICT in elections, including in voter education, has financial and human resource implications E-learning for EMBs, civil society organizations, other electoral stakeholders including the general public

Thank you!